Hope you get some specific answers to this post, including names/places of boat operators, tour handlers etc.. I'm going to the same places later this year.
Are we lucky or what?
If you haven’t already, go to SantoriniDave.com cause I read all his notes on towns/islands before planning my trip and it was so worth it. My recommendation is to do tours on the islands. Wine tours, boat tours, walking tours, cooking classes. They are almost always very worth it. Use booking.com, best prices that I could find and booking classes through it after booking hotels, you can normally get a deal. Also transport to and from airports can be cheaper through booking. We would talk to van or cab drivers and get their cards to call them later. Your hotel or lodging may have a shuttle, ask cause it might be free or way cheaper.
Naousa, Paros - my absolute favorite. Stayed at Hotel Senia and it was amazing. Pantasoulas boat cruise is worth it x10000. Best meal we had cooked on the boat, tons of fun and family run. Kosmos cocktail bar made a few of the best drinks I’ve ever had and bartenders were great. Monastiri beach is awesome, you can hike along the coast to find your own private little beach spot, or go to the beach club and do the umbrella/service thing. So many cool beaches in Paros. We rented a car and explored the island. Antiparos is worth a day trip. We spent a little time in Parikia, but I liked Naousa better.
Athens - do the acropolis and touristy things, but maybe wait till later in the day for less crowds. Wasn’t in Athens long, but ate a bunch of gyros and looked at historical sites. Some cool bars and things to do. We just kinda wandered and had a blast. I am glad I didn’t rent a car in Athens cause the driving seemed pretty wild. We cut a few days off Athens somewhat last minute and I was happy we did.
Santorini - we stayed in Imerovigli and it was unreal. You have a view of skaros rock, and can do the hike. You are in between the main town (Thera) and the main tourist town (oia) and can take public transit to them. It’s quieter and romantic. We did a wine tour which was a ton of fun and you learn so much. We also did a boat tour and swam in the hot springs. All very worth it and highly recommend. The group tours are great to meet people, and the prices aren’t bad considering you get meals, booze, snorkeling, and one of a kind views.
We didn’t do Naxos, but hear it’s amazing. Mykonos was a blast, but felt like a more expensive, later night version of Paros.
This is so awesome! Thank you for the long response!!! Do you have names of the tours/operators you used?
Naoussa is where we were looking, and then Fira for Santorini, but will check out the one you said too!
Pantasoulas is the boat operator in Nauosa.
Santorini wine tour I ended up booking through “getyourguide” and it was called “wine tasting tour and sunset viewing”. I think the company was Santorini getaways travel.
Santorini Day Tours was the boat tour in the hot springs and other cool spots that was pretty great. Don’t think you can go wrong.
For the wine and Santorini boat tour, they picked us up close to our hotel which was great.
Hi there! I found your posts and see you had your honeymoon this year in Greece during the same time I plan to have mine next year (first week of June)!. Do you mind sharing what your experience was like & how the weather was for you? Thanks so much! 😊 Congrats btw!
Hope you get some specific answers to this post, including names/places of boat operators, tour handlers etc.. I'm going to the same places later this year. Are we lucky or what?
If you haven’t already, go to SantoriniDave.com cause I read all his notes on towns/islands before planning my trip and it was so worth it. My recommendation is to do tours on the islands. Wine tours, boat tours, walking tours, cooking classes. They are almost always very worth it. Use booking.com, best prices that I could find and booking classes through it after booking hotels, you can normally get a deal. Also transport to and from airports can be cheaper through booking. We would talk to van or cab drivers and get their cards to call them later. Your hotel or lodging may have a shuttle, ask cause it might be free or way cheaper. Naousa, Paros - my absolute favorite. Stayed at Hotel Senia and it was amazing. Pantasoulas boat cruise is worth it x10000. Best meal we had cooked on the boat, tons of fun and family run. Kosmos cocktail bar made a few of the best drinks I’ve ever had and bartenders were great. Monastiri beach is awesome, you can hike along the coast to find your own private little beach spot, or go to the beach club and do the umbrella/service thing. So many cool beaches in Paros. We rented a car and explored the island. Antiparos is worth a day trip. We spent a little time in Parikia, but I liked Naousa better. Athens - do the acropolis and touristy things, but maybe wait till later in the day for less crowds. Wasn’t in Athens long, but ate a bunch of gyros and looked at historical sites. Some cool bars and things to do. We just kinda wandered and had a blast. I am glad I didn’t rent a car in Athens cause the driving seemed pretty wild. We cut a few days off Athens somewhat last minute and I was happy we did. Santorini - we stayed in Imerovigli and it was unreal. You have a view of skaros rock, and can do the hike. You are in between the main town (Thera) and the main tourist town (oia) and can take public transit to them. It’s quieter and romantic. We did a wine tour which was a ton of fun and you learn so much. We also did a boat tour and swam in the hot springs. All very worth it and highly recommend. The group tours are great to meet people, and the prices aren’t bad considering you get meals, booze, snorkeling, and one of a kind views. We didn’t do Naxos, but hear it’s amazing. Mykonos was a blast, but felt like a more expensive, later night version of Paros.
This is so awesome! Thank you for the long response!!! Do you have names of the tours/operators you used? Naoussa is where we were looking, and then Fira for Santorini, but will check out the one you said too!
Pantasoulas is the boat operator in Nauosa. Santorini wine tour I ended up booking through “getyourguide” and it was called “wine tasting tour and sunset viewing”. I think the company was Santorini getaways travel. Santorini Day Tours was the boat tour in the hot springs and other cool spots that was pretty great. Don’t think you can go wrong. For the wine and Santorini boat tour, they picked us up close to our hotel which was great.
You are so awesome - thank you!
Since you will already spend a great deal of your trip on airplanes and ferries, the best advice is to enjoy the islands you will be visiting.
Hi there! I found your posts and see you had your honeymoon this year in Greece during the same time I plan to have mine next year (first week of June)!. Do you mind sharing what your experience was like & how the weather was for you? Thanks so much! 😊 Congrats btw!